Mr Hawass, the public face of the pyramids, was head of the Egyptian
Supreme Council of Antiquities for 10 years, and before that in charge of
the Pyramids and Sphinx on the Giza plateau outside Cairo.
He staged regular press conferences unveiling new discoveries from the time of
the pharaohs. He was made minister of antiquities in one of Hosni Mubarak's
last acts as president.
Dr Hawass was popular among journalists, visitors and for a time Egyptians
themselves for his flamboyant style and unchallenged commitment to promote
Egypt's treasures and to use them to attract tourists.
He also led populist campaigns to return Egypt's heritage from museums abroad,
most notably the Rosetta Stone from the British Museum.
However, local archaeologists accused him of stealing credit for their
achievements, and "recycling" discoveries for publicity.
More seriously, as the Egyptian revolution unfolded, his finances, friendship
with Mr Mubarak's wife, Suzanne, and management of resources came into
question.
He was revealed to receive a regular income from the National Geographic
channel, and was put on trial over the contract under which a company which
marketed a "souvenir Hawass clothing line", including copies of
the trademark hat, was awarded the rights to run the souvenir shop in the
National Museum in Cairo.
He claimed that proceeds from the hats went to children's charities, of which
Mrs Mubarak was patron.
